Batu Sapi by-election: Give way 'gentlemanly' to Warisan - Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR:All political parties need to give way 'gentlemanly' to the Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) to contest the Batu Sapi by-election (PRK) unopposed.

UiTM Administrative Science and Policy Studies lecturer, Mujibu Abd Muis said a consensus agreement could alleviate political tensions and reduce the spread of COVID-19 infection in Sabah.

According to him, the move to give way to Warisan can save the situation of the residents in Batu Sapi, Sandakan which is categorised as a red zone.

Mujibu further explained that the action is appropriate by taking lessons after the Sabah state election (PRN).

"Indeed, the consensus is needed. What's more, in the current situation, politics needs cooperation and something needs to be done (regarding) the current political temperature.

"Perhaps giving a gentlemanly way to the incumbent in Batu Sapi, that is by not posing a challenge.

"Perhaps a good action needs to be taken not only to alleviate the political temperature, but also to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Batu Sapi," he told Astro AWANI via Skype today.

Mujibu added that Batu Sapi is an area in the red zone and of course the action can save the situation in Sabah.

The Batu Sapi by-election is set for Dec 5 with nomination day on Nov 23 and early voting on Dec 1.

It is going to be held following the death of its incumbent Datuk Liew Vui Keong on Oct 2 believed to be due to lung infection.

The Batu Sapi by-election is the 13th by-election after the 14th general election on 9 May 2018.

Earlier, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin also said that the Batu Sapi by-election and the Sarawak state election could be postponed if an emergency was declared under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.